Dec 3, 2016

CultNEWS101 Articles: 12/4/2016

The film debuts at 8 p.m. and replays at 9:55 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 3, on CNN.

The Sweat Lodge Tragedy

On Oct. 8, 2009, Ray and his Sedona retreat participants packed themselves, skin-against-skin, into that 415-sq.-ft. makeshift sweat lodge meant to push them through their limits and cleanse mind and body. He promised “the most intense heat you’ve ever experienced, I can guarantee you that,” according to a recording of the event made by his staff.

But as wave after wave of hot rocks were brought inside, people were overcome. Two died at the scene; 19 were hospitalized, including a third person who died later.

"In this episode of The Anthill, a podcast from The Conversation, we’re taking a critical look at the idea of belief. You might not consider yourself to be religious or have a particularly clear cut belief system. But, make no mistake, belief permeates everything we do.

For most, the simple belief that the sun will rise every day means not living in fear of the apocalypse. Yet this isn’t the case for everyone. History is replete with doomsday cults, predicting or ushering in the end of the world. To find out why these cults and others are so effective at sucking people in, we speak to psychologists Linda and Rod Dubrow-Marshall who have spent years investigating their popularity."

The troubled teen or "tough love" industry is made up mostly of for-profit companies that promise to fix drug addiction, mental illness, and attitude problems. At the center of this industry are the behavioral programs, some accused of abusive practices and even causing the death of teen clients. If the behavioral program is the entrée, then the transportation service is the appetizer, often setting the tone for the treatment the young person will endure for the months or years to come.

"Radio-Canada also heard allegations that a five-year-old boy from a Quebec congregation was made to repeat his story in front of the man he said abused him. The boy's mother told Enquête the allegations were dismissed because the child did not have a second witness to the alleged assault."

"Brother XII and the cult he created just south of Nanaimo, the Aquarian Foundation, features conspiracy, fraud, adultery, and treasure. Lots of treasure. In fact, this treasure might still be hidden somewhere around this island."

"Swami Nithyananda, the controversial self-styled godman of Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam in Bidadi, faced the fury of local residents at Melkote in the district on Wednesday after some of his devotees allegedly “spoilt the sanctity” of the historical Sri Cheluva Narayanaswamy Temple."

"Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that is fairly unpopular throughout the Muslim world. Sufis have an unorthodox approach that focuses more on esoteric aspects of religious life, and strive for direct, personal experiences with God."

In a new A&E docu-series which she executive produced, Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, Remini interviews former members of the Church of Scientology about their experiences as followers and their lives after leaving the religion.

Remini faced a backlash since publicly parting ways with the organization in 2013, and she hopes to send a message to the church with her series. "You’re not gonna continue to lie to people and abuse people and take their money and their lives," she says in the show. "If I can stop one, then I’m gonna do it.”

Cults101.orgresources about cults, cultic groups, abusive relationships, movements, religions, political organizations and related topics.Intervention101.comto help families and friends understand and effectively respond to the complexity of a loved one's cult involvement.CultRecovery101.comassists group members and their families make the sometimes difficult transition from coercion to renewed individual choice.